Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear (10) comprises a housing (12). A yoke assembly (40) is in the housing (12) for at least partially supporting and guiding movement of a rack bar (34) relative to a pinion gear (26). The yoke assembly (40) comprises a yoke (42) and a plurality of rotatable members. The yoke (42) has a first end surface (48) and an axis (A) that extends transverse to the direction of movement of the rack bar (34). Each of the plurality of rotatable members is supported by the yoke (42). A portion of each rotatable member projects outward of the first end surface (48) of the yoke (42) for contacting the rack bar (34). Each rotatable member is rotatable about its axis and is fixed against movement along the yoke axis (A) relative to the yoke (42).

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear (10) comprises a housing (12). A yoke assembly (40) is in the housing (12) for at least partially supporting and guiding movement of a rack bar (34) relative to a pinion gear (26). The yoke assembly (40) comprises a yoke (42) and a plurality of rotatable members. The yoke (42)has a first end surface (48) and an axis (A) that extends transverse to the direction of movement of the rack bar (34). Each of the plurality of rotatable members is supported by the yoke (42). A portion of each rotatable member projects outward of the first end surface (48) of the yoke (42) for contacting the rack bar (34). Each rotatable member is rotatable about its axis and is fixed against movement along the yoke axis (A) relative to the yoke (42).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a power assisted steering system (10). The power assisted steering system (10) comprises a rotatable member (34) capable of rotating about an axis. The system further comprises a ballnut (66) that is coaxial with the rotatable member (34). The ballnut (66) has a threaded cylindrical inner surface (76) and a plurality of drive balls (78). The system (10) further comprises a steering member (24). The steering member (24) is coaxial with the rotatable member (34) and the ballnut (66). The steering member (24) has a threaded portion (32). The steering member (24) extends through the inner surface (72) of the ballnut (66) such that the drive balls (78) of the ballnut (66) engage the threaded portion (32) of the steering member (24). The ballnut (66) is rotatably driven by the rotatable member (34) about the axis and is pivotal relative to the rotatable member (34) in a direction transverse to the axis.

Abstract: A tool (10) for installing a radially compressible bushing (20) into a housing (30) of a rack and pinion steering system (32). The housing has an end portion (50) that includes a ring-shaped bushing chamber (72) and a circular opening (60) into the bushing chamber. The opening (60) has a first diameter, and the bushing chamber (72) has a second diameter greater than the first diameter of the circular opening. The tool (10) comprises a plunger (80) having a first portion (90) with an outer diameter that is less than the first diameter of the opening (60) in the housing (30). The first portion (82) of the plunger (80) has a circumferential groove (94) defined by a pair of annular end surfaces (96, 98) and a cylindrical base surface (100). The groove (94) receives the bushing (20) during installation of the bushing in the housing (30). The annular end surfaces (96, 98) of the groove (94) block axial movement of the bushing (20) along the plunger (80) while the bushing is on the plunger.

Abstract: A winding tool (10) is used for connecting pairs of motor stator winding leads (91b-98b, 91c-98 c) and cutting of the connected pairs of leads to a predetermined length. The winding tool (10) includes a first part (100) received in the rotor space (88) in the motor stator (12) and a second part (102) projecting from a first end portion (72) of the motor stator. The first part (100) of the winding tool (10) has a cylindrical outer surface (116) engageable in an interference fit with a cylindrical inner surface (86) of the motor stator core (80) to resist radial and axial movement of the winding tool relative to the motor stator (12). The winding tool (10) has a plurality of slots (131-138) spaced circumferentially about an axis (30) and extending along an outer surface (126) of the second part (102) of the winding tool (10). The number of slots (131-138) is equal to the number of magnetic poles of the motor stator (12).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rack and pinion steering gear (10) comprises the steps of: providing a housing (12) with first and second chambers (36 and 42) and threads (44) which partially define the second chamber (42); positioning a rack (14) in the first chamber (36); positioning a yoke (70) in the second chamber (42); screwing threads (94) of a plug (90) into the threads (44) which at least partially define the second chamber (42) to cause the plug to press the yoke (70) into engagement with the rack (14) by rotating the plug about an axis (38) relative to the housing (12) in a first direction (A); and simultaneously deforming the threads (44) which at least partially define the second chamber (42) at a plurality of locations spaced about the axis (38) to limit the amount of rotation of the plug (90) in a second direction (B) about the axis opposite the first direction (A).

Abstract: A steering assembly (10) for turning steerable wheels of a vehicle in response to rotation of a steering wheel (12) includes a pinion (30). A steering member (14) is movable axially to effect turning movement of the steerable wheels of the vehicle. The steering member (14) has a rack portion (34) for engagement with the pinion (30) and an externally threaded screw portion (38). A ball nut (140) extends around the screw portion (38) of the steering member (14) and has an internal thread (144). A plurality of balls (200) are disposed between the internal thread (144) on the ball nut (140) and an external thread (40) on the steering member (14) for transmitting force between the ball nut and the screw portion (38) of the steering member. An electric motor (50) includes a rotor (132) drivingly connected to the ball nut (140) and a stator (70). The stator (70) when energized effects rotation of the rotor (132) and, thereby, rotation of the ball nut (140).